The first part of the day, 78 kilometers, was just like yesterday. It was great riding and a great experience. But it all turned after lunch. The tour leaders told us not to be riding alone. So after lunch I left with another rider. Immediately upon leaving the lunch stop a group of 18-20 year old males came over on their bikes and started looking over our bikes. We pushed off and began riding. There was 6 of them. They rode out with us weaving in and out of us. The asked for our water bottles of which we said no. Then while we were riding one of them reaches in the back pocket of my cycle jersey and tries to take my phone. I slammed on my brakes and his hand came flying out luckily without the phone. I pointed at him and said NO! They then formed up and boxed us in, two in front one on each side and two in rear. They were signaling to each other to get what was in the jersey pockets. We couldn't stop, speed up or evade. I told the other rider to keep pedaling, don't stop. I veared over and hit the guy next to me handlebars with mine which sent him off. Then sped up at the lead two and angled them off to the side. The other tour rider was free to accelerate. I rode a zig zag pattern behind her as they were trying to catch up and split us apart. They continued their, as I call it, attack for a good 4-5 kilometers. I saw a group of police officers and we pulled over. I told them of the incident and as we were speaking three of them rode up. I pointed them out. By then a crowd of locals had gathered. It began turning ugly, not at the ones who were after us but against us. The police were of no help and told us "no problem", ride on.
The situation was as such that I was afraid the crowd would turn on us. So we pedaled on. But that was all I wanted for the day. We flagged down the SAG truck.
I am back to.... Get me out of this country!!! I will never come back nor would I recommend anyone ever coming here. This country is destined for a period of lawlessness, upheaval and/or rebellion in the not so distant future. And they can have it!
Last night there was another instance where a young rider from our group rode back to a village for a coke and after telling the kids no to "money, money, money"; was attacked by a group of villagers. He had to hide in a culvert for awhile before he returned to camp.
Mike--Clearly SECURITY PROVISIONS are not in the vocabulary of the planners of your trip,since this is not their first rodeo or should I say "road o smackdown". you're dealing with people who have nothing to lose in a lawless country. In these high threat areas everybody should stay together in a convoy with at least two tough looking guys on motorcycles wearing camoflauge riding double carrying threateningly looking objects, maybe even with sirens, to clear your path. The motorcycles could respond quickly to intruders. It looks like you cannot really take on the punks because the local "cops" might arrest you....kinda a quandry.
ReplyDeleteLast night we watched our videos of Ewan McGregor's and Charlie Boorman's fairly recent motorcycle trip through the same areas. At the Kenyan border they picked up a Kenyan camoflauged security vehicle escort with two military looking uniformed guys. They said that the area after the border was bandit country so they wanted to be camped before dark. Maybe your tour guys should do the same thing until you get to a low threat region. It doesn't sound like any one of your group should be the trailing or lone "wildebeast"!..... I'm going to watch the sement to Victoria Falls tonight. So the people they've encountered in Kenya seemed really friendly and they visited some interesting tribes. We hope you find it the same way. In the meantime keep jinking,rockin'and rollin' on....and yes,, check your six!
Bob and Linda
This trip is getting down right scary. Can't your SAG drivers group you and at a moderate speed escort you through this area? That is worse than the red necks with pickups that I have to deal with.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and stay safe.
Ray Van Ostran
Mike, Hang in there bud. You are with TdA. The "E" in epic stands for Ethiopia. Ride in large packs, even if it means going slower and be aggressive if anyone approaches. Not necessarily how you want all of your trip to go, but until you cross the border, safety first. Regards, Scott.
ReplyDeleteHi Michael,
ReplyDeleteIf I recall, the tour skipped Egypt last year due to safety concerns. It seems to the outside observer that this leg of the tour has reached this level. What level of danger has to be reached before your tour guides determine that this leg should be by-passed? Sometimes when you are in the middle of something, it is hard to see, but it seems there is a very apparent pressing danger.
You signed up to see the country and to challenge your biking skills, take the SAG until you reach a safe biking area, please
Luv pam and dan
Mike, I agree with all the other people who have posted - it's time to bypass this country & head out. This doesn't sound fun or safe. We are all concerned for your well being. Goodness gracious - I don't even know what to say; Other than take care of yourself, ride in packs, stay together & avoid all 'locals'.
ReplyDeleteBest, Pam